Zaina Sovani

Background

About Zaina Sovani

Zaina is a digital strategist and transformational leader with a demonstrated history of working in Government, Private Sector and Management Consulting. She is a subject matter expert in the Immigration and Border Security Domain, Transformation, Digital Strategy & Execution, Program and Project Management, Risk and Audit Analysis, Governance and Organizational Development. She is a strong professional with expertise in Leading Change and Organizational Renewal focused on Leadership. Zaina Sovani held the position of Assistant Deputy Minister of Transformation, Digital Strategy and Chief Information Officer at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) where she was responsible for leading the department through a major transformational change program focused on improving client experience, operations excellence, digital services delivery and encouraging a new culture of innovation and agility. Zaina also held the position of Chief Information Officer, leading IM/IT strategy and service delivery functions and technologically enabling the business. Her previous role in IRCC was ADM, Corporate Services Sector where she held responsibility for HR, Accommodations, IM/IT, Corporate Governance and ATIP. Over the past 20 years, Zaina has held many executive roles both in the public service and private sector, gaining the reputation of a builder and transformational leader. Past roles include executive positions at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Shared Services Canada (SSC) and the Canadian Commercial Corporation. Zaina holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Ottawa, Certification from University of Berkeley in Digital Transformation: Leading People, Data & Technology and Certification from Harvard Business School in Driving Digital Strategy. Zaina is actively engaged in the community and has served on a number of for-profit and not-for-profit Boards, including the Ismaili Council for Canada, Hydro Ottawa, United Way of Ottawa and as a Community Member to the Board of Governors with The Ottawa Hospital. She was named United Way’s Focus Area Champion, awarded a medal for her role as agent of change by the Mayor of Ottawa and she was among 40 nominees for Amazing Person of the Year Award. Zaina is a sought after speaker on topics related to Business Transformation, Driving Digital, Change and People Leadership. Zaina is passionate about mentoring women into leadership roles. Bilingual in both official languages (English and French).